Atlanta is the capital city of the state of Georgia, but one may be surprised to discover that life here isn’t all about peaches. Unlike other Georgian cities, many of which have retained their “Old South” architecture and demeanor, Atlanta is progressive, innovative and a leading city in the “New South” movement.

Atlanta’s expansive skyline is filled with brilliant examples of modern architecture designed by some of the 20th Century’s most prominent architects like Renzo Piano, Marcel Breuer, Michael Graves and many others. One of the leading cities of industry below the Mason-Dixon Line, Atlanta, GA is home to the headquarters of some of the country’s most successful companies, including Coca-Cola, Turner Broadcasting, Delta Airlines, CNN, AT&T Mobility, Georgia-Pacific and many more. The city’s continual growth and stature among national industries is what draws so many people to move to this area each year. If you're moving to Atlanta, find Atlanta moving companies or Georgia moving companies at Moving.com.

Things to Do in Atlanta, Georgia

While Atlanta’s attitude toward industry is more progressive in nature, the city does offer those who rent in this city a balanced life with a rich and diverse selection of culturally expanding entertainment options like the city’s museums, festivals and lively music scene.

Museums of note in Atlanta, GA include the Atlanta History Center, the Carter Center, the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site, the Atlanta Cyclorama and Civil War Museum, the historic house museum Rhodes Hall, and the Margaret Mitchell House and Museum. Also featured in this city is the Georgia Aquarium, the largest indoor aquarium in the world.

The city is also home to famous Piedmont Park, which hosts numerous annual festivals and events like the Atlanta Dogwood Festival and the Atlanta Pride event, as well as Grant Park, where the Atlanta Zoo is located. The colorful Atlanta Botanical Garden is right next to Piedmont Park and just east of the city is Stone Mountain, the largest piece of exposed granite in the world.

Each year over the Labor Day weekend the city hosts the tremendously popular Dragon*Con event and every August, Atlanta celebrates Independent Film Month, a month-long dedication to independent filmmaking.

Those who rent in Atlanta, Georgia enjoy a vibrant and enthusiastic music scene, and the city offers a number of venues to catch both world famous acts and up-and-coming stars in the making. Most notable is the Fox Theatre, which is both a historic landmark and one of the highest grossing venues in the world. With such a high prevalence of hip-hop recording studios and record labels calling Atlanta home, the city is one of the pioneers in the rap and hip-hop music industry, but with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Atlanta Opera, Atlanta Ballet, New Trinity Baroque, the Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra, Georgia Boy Choir and the Atlanta Boy Choir also in town, there’s a genre for all music aficionados.

If you’re a renter who loves sports, then the city won’t let you down as Atlanta has six professional teams, including the Falcons in the NFL, the NBA’s Hawks, MLB’s Braves, the NHL’s Thrashers and both men’s and women’s Atlanta Silverback teams for the United Soccer League.

Shopping is also an experience in this city, especially when it’s done at Underground Atlanta, the historic shopping and entertainment complex that lies below the streets of the city’s downtown area. From the daytime to after dark and throughout its six full blocks, Underground Atlanta has something for everyone, including informative guided tours detailing the history of the city.

Atlanta’s Nightlife and Eateries

No one who lives in Atlanta can honestly call themselves an Atlantan if they haven’t visited the Varsity. The restaurant chain was started in 1928 and now has six branches in the Atlanta area, with the main branch on North Avenue recognized as the largest fast food drive-in restaurant in the world.

ATL is also home to a growing contingency of fine dining restaurants and globally-inspired fare. The choices are endless and many of downtown’s best restaurants are in close proximity to the blistering nightlife bars and clubs that give Hotlanta its name. If you’re a renter who appreciates a more casual dining experience, the city is just as accommodating with hundreds of steak houses, pizza joints and Chinese takeouts to choose from.

As far as clubbing in ATL goes, the choices are equally endless. Atlanta, GA is home to an array of clubs for every taste, including karaoke bars, jazz lounges, dance clubs and live music joints.

Buckhead is located in the northern edge of the city and it is an upscale suburban area that is often referred to as the “Beverly Hills of the South” because it’s one of the wealthiest and most luxurious zip codes in the nation. Neighborhoods in Buckhead include Brookwood, Garden Hills, Kingswood, Loring Heights, Pleasant Hill, Tuxedo Park, Wyngate and many others.

Downtown Atlanta features many older apartment buildings and lofts, most of which offer convenience and accessibility that’s also reflected in the price of the rent. The neighborhoods that make up this area include Centennial Hill, Five Points, the Hotel District, the Railroad District, SoNo and Fairlie-Poplar. Midtown is an unofficial area that contains Atlantic Station, Midtown Proper, Eastern Home Park and the area surrounding the Georgia Institute of Technology, or Georgia Tech.

Once an area in decline, the Eastern part of the city is now burgeoning and one that is continually growing and improving. With an abundance of trendy restaurants and shops bolstering the area, more and more young people are being attracted to the area’s inexpensive rental opportunities and hip, young atmosphere.

The Highlands is a more casual community with tree-lined streets, quirky boutiques and a heavy mix of young business professionals. The atmosphere here is quieter than what’s found in Buckhead or Midtown and the area is home to a plethora of laid back taverns and hip fusion restaurants. While the living is definitely nice and relaxed in this area, it does come at a cost as rent prices here can be a little on the high side when compared with nearby neighborhoods.

If you want to live close to the city, but not in the city, then the neighborhood of Vinings should have everything you’re looking for. This area is filled with moderately-priced apartments, condos and rental homes suitable for any size family, and it has a wonderful collection of shops and boutiques designed to resemble a charming town square.

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